Tech I Use
updated
This is a /uses page - the software and hardware I use regularly, plus a few extras.
Daily
- Obsidian: Note-taking and the CMS for this site.
- Proton Mail: Own-domain email with real privacy defaults.
- Todoist: Quick capture for todos and stray ideas.
- Monarch: Budgeting since Mint died. Decade of history migrated.
- Discord: Default collaboration chat, alongside Teams.
- WinAero Tweaker: Makes Windows usable. Removes the ads and nonsense.
- 7-Zip: Archive tool.
- VLC: Go-to media player, media converter, flexible utility.
- Everything: Instant filename search on Windows.
- AutoHotkey: Keyboard shortcuts and automation scripts.
- FreeFileSync: Straightforward folder sync and backups.
- Ninite: Bulk install essential software for Windows.
- Stacher: YouTube downloader.
Browser
- Firefox: Daily driver. Less bloat, better privacy than Chrome.
- uBlock Origin: Lightweight ad blocker.
- Bitwarden: Open-source password manager.
- Multi-Account Containers: Separate logins on the same site without juggling profiles.
- SponsorBlock: Auto-skips sponsored segments in YouTube videos.
- RealHandles: Checks whether a profile or site belongs to a verified identity, verified locally on your machine.
- Unwanted Twitch: Hide Twitch categories, channels, and tags you do not want.
- Obsidian Web Clipper: Instantly translate the current page you are viewing into Markdown.
- yeet.md: Paste Markdown and get a shareable link.
- Video DownloadHelper: Pull media off a page when you need the file.
Dev
- Cursor: IDE of choice. Claude Code for most agent work.
- Claude: Default AI chat. Claude Code is the daily coding agent.
- OpenCode: Agentic coding backup when Cursor or Claude is down or out of credits.
- Grok Bot: AI teammates that sign into your tools and finish multi-step work on their own.
- GitHub: Git hosting for projects, plugins, and this site's vault.
- Netlify: Where this site and most of my projects ship.
- Cloudflare: Domain registrar, DNS, CDN, and Workers.
Mobile
- Square Home: Windows Phone-style live tiles on Android.
- Literal Word: Bible app with KJV, NKJV, and ESV. Simple and distraction-free.
- GitSync: Obsidian vault sync on Android.
- ReVanced: YouTube without the ads and more features.
- F-Droid: FOSS app catalog for Android.
Content
- OBS Studio: What I use for streaming and recording video.
- Premiere Pro: Go-to video editor.
Past blog post: my software of choice.
Hardware
Gear
Ultimate Hacking Keyboard 80: Split ergonomic keyboard on the Riser 80, with the key cluster and touchpad modules.
Logitech MX Master 4: Ergonomic mouse with MagSpeed scroll and a horizontal thumb wheel.
HUION KAMVAS Pro 16: Pen display for drawing and precise edits. A mouse cannot do this work.
Elgato Stream Deck XL: Programmable macro pad. Common actions at your fingertips.
Office
Fully Jarvis 60": Electric standing desk, 60" wide.
Herman Miller Aeron: The most important investment in my desk setup.
Bose 321 GS Series II: Desk speakers. A DVD home theatre system doing duty as a 2.1 setup.
ASUS RT-AXE7800: Wi-Fi 6E router for the home office.
Production
TC Helicon GoXLR Mini: USB mixer and audio interface.
Shure SM7B: Dynamic cardioid vocal mic.
Elgato Key Light: Main key light for stream and video.
Elgato Prompter: Helps me keep eye contact on video calls. Mirror view when recording.
Sony Alpha a6300: Mirrorless camera.
Elgato Wave Mic Arm: Low profile arm that keeps the SM7B off the desk and out of shot.
Everyday
Bitkey: Bitcoin hardware wallet. V2 with fingerprint and screen.
Zune 120GB: Still the best music player Microsoft ever made. 120GB of local library, no subscription.
OnePlus 12R: Daily phone. Clean Android, big battery, no carrier bloat.
Ekster Cardholder: Slim profile cardholder.
The rest
Parts list for everything that is not a hero tile above. Tap a group to expand.
Main PC
- MotherboardLGA1151 Z370 ATX
- CPUIntel Core i7-8700
- GPUNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
- RAM32GB Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4 (4×8GB)
- PSUCorsair RM1000x 1000W
- CaseCooler Master HAF 912
- DVDHP DVD RW DL LightScribe
- NVMeHP EX920 M.2 1TB
- SSDSamsung 680 EVO 4TB
- HDDHitachi HGST 8TB (×2)
- ExternalWD Elements 20TB
- ExternalSeagate Backup+ Hub 8TB
Keyboard
Desk setup
- Monitor 1ASUS VG248QE 24", 1920×1080, 144Hz
- Monitor 2Dell P2715Q 27", 3840×2160, 60Hz
- Monitor 3Dell U2412M, 1920×1200, 60Hz
- Dual mountVIVO extra-tall stacked dual arm
- Single mountVIVO adjustable single arm
- Desk matWolaile 36"×17"
- SpeakersBose 321 GS Series II
- USB hubGearmo 10-port USB 3.2
- Foot pedaliKKEGOL USB foot pedal
- HeadphonesBose QuietComfort 25
- PC mountVIVO MOUNT-PC04B
Production equipment
- In-ear monitorsLinsoul KZ ZS10 Pro
- IsolatorMA Audio ground loop
- Mic armElgato Wave Mic Arm
- CaptureMicomsoft XCapture-1
- Camera fanKoonie USB clip-on fan
- Ring lightJAOXISOU 6.3"
- Prompter standTARION desk camera mount
- Secondary webcamLogitech C920
- Secondary webcam coverHUYUN privacy shutter
- Drawing tabletHUION KAMVAS Pro 16
- Green screenElgato Green Screen MT
Office & other devices
- ModemARRIS Surfboard SB8200
- Chair wheelsAXL 2.8" castors
- HeadrestHerman Miller Aeron headrest
- Primary PC OSWindows 11 Pro
- Secondary PC OSLinux / Debian
- LaptopSurface Laptop 4
- PhoneOnePlus 12R
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